Mercedes has pushed back a final decision on who will partner Lewis Hamilton in 2022.
Team boss Toto Wolff had identified this summer break as the deadline to choose between retaining Valtteri Bottas or promoting George Russell from Williams for next season.
Many, therefore, were expecting an announcement this week at the Belgian Grand Prix, but now that seems unlikely to happen.
“We have to choose between the stability of Valtteri and the talent of George, where the future lies,” Wolff told German newspaper Bild.
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“I want the topic settled in September so both of them can position themselves properly for the coming season.”
While most believe it is time to promote Russell, Bottas does have the key backing of Hamilton, who is eager to keep the status quo.
“Unfortunately, there is nothing to say,” Valtteri was quoted as telling Finnish broadcaster MTV Sport on his future.
“It remains to be seen what happens. I don’t think there will be any news in the near future, but yes, those things will be clear in time. Everything is going in the right direction.
“I can’t say who we’re going to talk to and what’s going on, but things are being discussed so that we can find the best option for next season.
“Lewis has told me quite directly that he would like me to be his teammate [in 2022].
“Together we can do very well. The fact is, drivers can’t make a terrible impact on it. Yes, there’s a bigger machine behind it that ultimately makes those decisions.”
But that last point on whether Hamilton could push Mercedes to keep Bottas, who joined in 2017, is one that is debated, even if denied.
“Lewis is okay with both scenarios,” team boss Wolff insists, “he understands the pros and cons that speak for Valtteri and George.
“Lewis has never tried to influence the decision and he has no preference as to who should be in the car.
“He likes the relationship with Valtteri, and we know it too. But he never said that he would like this or that best.”